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Friday, December 13, 2013

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, (Isaiah 35:6a KJV)And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: (Acts 3:8-9 KJV)

I think you knew I couldn’t leave two chapters with only one post. Return with me to yesterday and let’s look at praising God.

The song says “The lame will leap,” and this is the reference. This man asked for what he thought would help. He was given what he really needed. Then he was walking and leaping and praising God for the wonderful gift he received instead of alms. Peter had told him:

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6 KJV)

There must have been other people in Jerusalem who could not walk, but this man was in front of Peter and Peter had the ability to do something for him. Peter did not have the ability to pay for food or shelter or doctors or hospitals or rehabilitation, but he did have the gospel and the gifts bestowed on him by Jesus. He gave what he had, the name of Jesus, the Messiah, who was known as a Nazarene.

After the healing, they all entered the temple. Can you imagine what a distraction it would be to those who came to quietly worship? Instead of internal contemplation of God and His past dealings with the people; instead of heads bowed in silent worship; instead of public prayers to garner attention – there is a crowd gathering around that beggar that always sat at the door, the one most people ignored.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. (Acts 3:9-11 KJV)

Be ready when anyone wonders about our beliefs, this chapter – especially verses 12 to 26 – is an excellent gospel. In these few verses Peter reminds those in the temple of the God they worship, the prophets who spoke the words He gave them, the son who came and was killed by them, who rose as prophesied. Peter reminded them of their own sins, and the cure:

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26 KJV)

Jesus came to bless us and turn us away from our sins. We do not clean up our lives then come to Him. There is nothing on earth we can do to earn that right to be noticed by Him. He came to us and for us and asks that we accept that. We do not become perfect to get to Him. He works with us toward perfection as we walk with Him.

He first heals us, then we run and leap and show everyone as we praise Him for what we’ve received.

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